Published May 1, 2020
MELROSE — Mayor Paul Brodeur has formed an Economic Development Task Force to address the impacts COVID-19 has had and will have on Melrose small businesses.
“Our local merchants and small businesses are among the primary reasons so many of us love living in Melrose. Their generosity and vibrancy are key in making our community a special place,” Brodeur said. “Ensuring that we are connecting our business owners with available resources and that we are ready when the time comes to open back up is critical.”
The goals of the task force are to:
• Continue to reach out to small businesses in Melrose – listen to how they are doing and learn more about their immediate needs;
• Explore ways government, private businesses, community non-profits, and resident volunteers can partner to assess the impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Melrose businesses and identify what resources these businesses require;
• Serve as a liaison between the business community, the Melrose Chamber of Commerce, and the Mayor’s Office – keeping the lines of communication open;
• Determine what government funding is available for small businesses in the state of Massachusetts; and
• Continue to reach out to small businesses post-COVID-19 in order to determine additional and/or changing needs.
The volunteer task force includes a variety of diverse small business owners in Melrose as well as City Councilors, Chamber leaders, and members of the Mayor’s staff. Members of the group have met once, while City and Chamber staff have been conducting research on federal and state aid programs as well as the legal framework governing such programs.
Task force members were selected to represent a variety of skill sets, businesses, and current experiences of the COVID-19 economic impacts. Currently, the task force consists of:
Patrick Prendgergast, Mayor’s Office, City of MelroseDenise Gaffey, Office of Planning and Development, City of MelroseLauren Grymek, Executive Director, Melrose Chamber of CommerceKevin DeVinney, Chamber Board Member, Eastern BankJen Grigoraitis, Ward 6 City Councilor, City of MelroseChris Cinella, City Council-At-Large, City of MelroseKathi Turner, Business Owner, Turner’s Seafood Grill & MarketRich Yagjian, Business Owner, Hunt’s Photo & VideoLisa Smith, Business Owner and Resident, Smith Marketing & SocialBarry Greenwood, Commercial Property Owner, Greenwood & SonsLiz Ryan, Resident and Leasing Expert, Federal Realty Investment TrustJeff Herold, Business Owner, Garden RemediesThe Melrose Chamber of Commerce has been in constant contact with local business owners since the onset of the pandemic, and Executive Director Lauren Grymek worked diligently in connecting business owners with resources to help them through this uncertain time.
At the Task Force’s next meeting, the group will review a draft survey to share with all business owners in Melrose, review updates from the State and Federal level, explore establishing resources for businesses as they navigate through a patchwork of grant and loan opportunities, and identify key opportunities and challenges which may surface when it is safe to re-open.
The Task Force will provide more information as things progress. However, if you have any questions, feel free to email Patrick Prendergast, Mayor’s Chief of Staff at PPrendergast@cityofmelrose.org.
